The Sore Bee, Sowerby Bridge: The 'handsome' Yorkshire pub which has a wide offering - and even a crochet club

There’s a diverse bunch of folk in – families with kids and dogs, and a gaggle of walkers. A couple of Sunday lunches are carried through and very fine they look too.

The menu is ‘a work in progress’ but the idea is to offer a variety of ‘puddings’ of the savoury type. Good idea.

There are a number of cask ales: Port Nelson and Barncliffe Bitter from Small World Beers from Shelley – and I tell you that the bitter was absolutely on song.

There’s a Sunbeam Ales Winter Special, from the rather special microbrewery in Leeds run by Nigel Poustie. Established in 2012 he’s winning a reputation for multi award-winning cask ales.

There’s generally White Rat from Ossett Brewery but it’s not on when we visit, plus one other on rotation, Manchester Marble Brewery ‘Pint’.

The Bee is becoming a popular spot for live music; there’s a jam night on Thursdays – check their Facebook page for the gig list.

Quiz night is on Tuesday and there’s even a crochet club. Not kidding.

Outside is a large beer garden overlooking the canal – a great place to people watch on a fine day.

Through the bar is a high-ceilinged but cosy snug with another wood stove – it’s easy to imagine hunkering down here with a pint and a pudding after a yomp along the canal tow path.

There are board games and books in here too, and a rather fine reproduction of an old photo of the pub featuring a fine, if serious looking landlord, Mr James Edward Spencer, licensed to sell Ale, Beer & Porter, Tobacco & Cigars To Be Consumed on the Premises.

And the name? Local folk know Sowerby Bridge as ‘sawby’.

The Sore Bee, 80-82 Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 2AF.

Welcome 4/5

Atmosphere 4/5

Drinks choice 5/5

Prices 4/5